Diehard baseball fans gathered in a Los Angeles neighborhood before the Dodgers’ victory over the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series – and many traveled from around the world because of one player.
Locals in the Little Tokyo suburb of LA refer to it as the “Ohtani effect.”
Shohei Ohtani – the star player for the Dodgers – is a prominent figure in the historic neighborhood, depicted in a 150ft (45m) mural and his name proudly displayed on jerseys worn by fans.
Although baseball is considered “America’s pastime”, its biggest star hails from Japan. The player signed a record-breaking $700m (£540m) contract to play this season – generating significant excitement and attracting new fans and traditions in diverse Los Angeles.
Business has thrived in the area, with tourists visiting from all over the world, including the player’s home country.
“When Shohei comes up to bat – if he hits a home run, we start serving sake shots,” mentions Don Tahara, the owner of Far Bar where numerous TVs show Dodgers games. Home runs mean complimentary rice wine for hundreds of fans.
Ohtani has hit 54 home runs during the regular season, though none in the World Series, which concluded with the Dodgers coming back from a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Yankees 7-6.
Before the series victory, Mr. Tahara commented on Shohei and the sake shot tradition: “It’s great for the Dodgers – maybe not so great for my wallet. But it’s meaningful, it warms my heart.”
Far Bar was bustling during the World Series.
Mr. Tahara distributed mochi, a Japanese rice cake adorned with the Dodgers’ logo, and free margarita shots to honor Fernando Valenzuela, the late Dodgers legend. Valenzuela, a left-handed pitcher from Mexico, is also being immortalized in a mural in Boyle Heights, across the river from Little Tokyo.
Renowned muralist Robert Vargas, taking a break from painting Valenzuela, watched one of the series’ games at Far Bar. Mr. Vargas is a beloved figure in Little Tokyo for immortalizing the baseball star on the massive wall of the Miyako Hotel.
“I’ve been a Dodger fan my whole life,” states Mr. Vargas, who painted Ohtani “in the spirit of representation.”
The mural has become a popular spot for Japanese tourists who arrive in buses to pose for photos with the artwork.
Takatani Kiuchi traveled from Japan to attend game two of the series at Dodger Stadium in downtown Los Angeles and watched game three at Far Bar with his friends. Dressed in Dodgers gear and Ohtani jerseys, Kiuchi met fans from around Los Angeles and the world.
“We are new Dodgers fans. From Tokyo. For us, it’s more about the Yankees versus Dodgers – that holds more significance than the World Series.”
They were thrilled that the second game of the series also featured another Japanese star on the team – Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched six innings, allowing only one hit by the Yankees.
Kiuchi last visited Los Angeles as a child 50 years ago and states that he will definitely return to watch the Dodgers play again.
“We came here to witness this,” Kiuchi cheered as the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hit a home run during game three, prompting cheers from the bar’s crowd.
The city’s tourism board is also celebrating. In 2023, there were 230,000 visitors from Japan to Los Angeles, a 91.7 percent increase from 2022.
By year-end, the city is expected to welcome 320,000 visitors, remarks Bill Karz, the senior vice-president of brand marketing at LA Tourism. While it is a decrease from pre-pandemic levels, tourism officials are pleased with the rise.
“The Ohtani effect is real,” states Karz. “It impacts our entire economy.”
This results in increased hotel occupancy, ticket sales at theme parks like Universal Studios, and tours of Dodger Stadium, leading to an expansion of Japanese language tours.
Even some dedicated Yankee fans have joined the Ohtani bandwagon.
Amidst a sea of Dodger blue, Vince Gonzales sported a black and red “Ohtani” shirt from the Japanese national team.
“Shhh, I’m a Yankee fan,” he whispered at the bar while mingling with Japanese tourists. “But more importantly, I’m an Ohtani fan because I have a passion for Japanese baseball.”
Far Bar erupted in cheers and “I love LA” played from the sound system as game three concluded with a Dodger victory.
Robert Vargas – the muralist – was unable to slip away. A woman from Japan rushed out of the bar to request photos with him in front of the mural. He obliged, and soon, numerous people were posing with him for photos while chanting: “Lets Go, Dodgers!”